Tunneling machine



May 25, 1943. c. c. ROE

TUNNELING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1941 P 5 Sheeis-She'et l v INVENTOR. Chas. C. Roe

ATTORNEYS 5 Shee ts-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Chas. C. Roe

MM ATTORNEYS May 25, 1943. c. c. ROE

TVUNNELING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Chas. C. Roe

ML mm:

A TTORNEYJ' May 25, 1943. c. C. ROE

TUNNELING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1941 5 Shets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR/ Chas. C. Roe

A TTORNEYS -May 25, 1943. 7 C ROE -2,320,196

\ v TUNNELING MACI-IiNE Filed June 16, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Chas C. Roe

BY v

' A TTORNEYS neling in connection with Patented May 25, 1943 TUNNELING MACHINE Charles 0. Roe, Stockton, Calif., assignor to Eugene F. Smith, Stockton, Calif.

Application June 16, 1941, Serial No. 398,279

This invention relates to excavating machines, and particularly to a machine designed for tunmlning and other operations. v V

The principal object of my invention is to provide a machine for the purpose so constructed that it-is capable of efficient operation in almost any kind of material, hard or soft, and with which tunnels of varying dimensions both as to height and width may be excavated with a single pass of the machine.

A further object is to provide a machine so constructed that the material as excavated will be delivered rearwardly of the machine in position for convenient discharge into a dumping wagon or the like. The head of the tunnel is therefore kept clear of excavated material, and there is nothing in the way to interfere with the steady and level advance of the machine as the excavation progresses.

A further object of the invention is'to construct the machine so that all operations may be easily and accurately controlled by one man, who mayhave his stand in the tunnel alongside the boom of the machine, where he can see exactly what cuts. to make, and can accurately control the contour of the tunnel.

Another object is to provide a machine which while very sturdy and capable of heavy duty work, is very compact both as to width and height, so that a small tunnel may be made if desired. tunnel operations, the machine maybe used for open out work as well.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

the rear portion rangement whereby the various drive motors of the machine may be independently and conveniently controlled from a single station adja- .cent but not on the machine.

a vertical plane on a heavy transverse shaft ll, which is journaled in the sides of the cage.

Although particularly designed for- Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the machine comprises a relatively long, rectangular box-like frame structure I, having transversely spaced side plates 2 extending for its full length. This structure, which is a rigid unit, is supported on endless track units 3 rigidly mounted thereon. The rear sprocket 3a of each track unit is connected in driving relation by a reduction drive 4 with an individual reversible'electric motor 5 mounted on the frame structure between the plates 2.

At the forward end, the frame structure is provided at the top and bottom with centrally disposed ears 6, which support axially alined but separated vertical pivot pins I. These pins pass through plates 8 cooperating with the ears 6 and which project rearwardly and centrally from the top and bottom of a cage 9 of rectangular cross section. The lowermost ear and plate are as close to the ground as is practicable.

Projecting forwardly from between the sides of the cage from its rear end is the boom I0, a relatively short member of hollow box-like form in section. The boom is joumaled at its rear end in the cage for swinging movement in Bosses 12 project forwardly from the boom, and

serve as bearings for another transverse shaft 13; the sprockets H for the bucket line chain 15 being mounted on the shafts l3 and II. Toothed buckets l6 are mounted on or integral with alternate links of the chain, while trough members I! are formed on the intermediate links. By means of this arrangement, overflowing material as dug or excavated and caught by any bucket with its upward movement about the said sprockets H from below, may then spill over and still be retained against loss by the adjacent trough when the bucket straightens out as it moves rearwardly alongthe upper run of the 7 chain. All material excavated is thus retained on the bucket line irrespective of whether the boom is disposed at a downward slant from its rear end or at an upward slant from such end. The bucket line is driven by an electric motor 18 mounted within the boom and connected to the shaft it by a suitable reduction drive IS.

.The buckets and troughs as they move down about the rear sprockets ll discharge onto the feed end of an endless belt conveyor 20. This is disposed between the side plates 2, and is pivotally supported at said end on the frame structure for swinging movement in a vertical plane;

near the forward end of the" conveyor so that the bucket line will discharge onto the conveyor no matter how the boom and cage are swung. A catch hopper 2| is mounted in connection with the conveyor at .its forward end, and insures that the material dropping from the bucket line will be delivered to the conveyor.

The conveyor extends to the rear end of the frame structure with a gradual upward slope, and terminates in a substantially horizontal portion 2011 (see Fig. 2) disposed somewhat above the frame structure and projectin rearwardly therefrom a suflicient distance to enable the body of a dump wagon to be backed for its full length under the overhanging portion of the conveyor. The conveyor is driven so that its upper run travelsrearwardly by means of an electric motor 22 mounted on the portion a on one side thereof and connected to the adjacent rear conveyor roller 23 by a suitable reduction drive 24.

The conveyor is supported adjacent the rear end of the frame structure for vertical adjustment by means of depending side racks 25 engaged by pinions 26, the rotation of which is controlled by a worm gearing 21 operated by hand from one side of the machine. This arrangement enables the discharge end of the conveyor to be disposed at different levels, as the height of any particular dump wagon may necessitate.

The boom is swung up or down about the shaft II. as an axis by the following means:

Mounted on the frame structure at one side at a suitable point is a reversibleelectric motor 28 connected by a reduction drive which includes an irreversible worm gearing 29 with a cable drum 30 mounted adjacent said side of the frame. A cable 3| is wound on the drum and extends thence about suitable horizontal direction changing pulleys 32 mounted on top of and near the front end of the frame. From this pulley the cable extends to another pulley 33 directly above and whose foremost peripheral point substantially intersects the axis of pin 1. The cable then passes from pulley 33 over another horizontal pulley 34 mounted on the cage 9 at its rear end and on one side, then over one vertically set pulley of a sheave block 35 mounted on the cage 9 at its forward end and adjacent the top, then down about a pulley 36 on the boom intermediate its ends and near the bottom. The cable then passes up and over the other pulley of block 35, then about another pulley 31 mounted in common with the pulley 34, then across and about a pulley 38 on the opposite side of the cage, then forwardly to and over a pulley 39 on the boom at the top and on the opposite side from block 35, then down and about a pulley 40 on the boom in a position corresponding to the pulley 36, and up toan anchor adjacent the pulley 39 as at 4|.

In this manner, the pull on the cable is equally distributed on both sides of the boom, and due to the position of the pulley 33 relative to the pivotal pin of the cage, there is no appreciable tensioning or slackening of the cable as the cage and boom swing to one side or the other.

The pull on the cable of course lifts the boom, which tends to drop of its own weight. The use of the worm gearing 29 in the drive between the cable drum and its motor prevents the unwinding of the cable from the drum by the weight of the boom, and the motor must be actually re- The pins 1 are disposed, in a longitudinal plane versed in the action of its drive to effect such unwinding.

The boom is swung to one side or the other independently of its vertical swinging by. the following means: v v

Pivoted at the top and bottom on one side of the cage and on a vertical axis substantially intersecting the axis of the shaft I l is an arm 42, bowed outwardly intermediate its ends as clearly shown-in Fig. 4; A heavy connecting rod 43 extends forwardly from the arm along an axial plane between the shafts II and I3, being connected to said arm at its laterally outermost point by a universal joint 34 and to the boom adjacent its forward end by a swivel and universal joint unit. The unit 45 is disposed close to the boom so that the arm extends forwardly in converging relation to the latter, as shown in Fig. 3.

A push and pull pressure imparted against the arm in a direction lengthwise of the boom thus causes the boom to be swung to oneside or the other about pins 1 as an axis. Due to the flexible mounting of the arm and connecting rod, the lateral swinging action imparted tov the boom will be effective irrespective of the vertically swung position of the boom relative tothe cage. The swinging pressure is also imparted both to the boom and to the cage adjacent the shaft ll, thus relieving the shaft of certain binding strains otherwise had. The necessary operating pressure is thus imparted to the arm 42 by the following means:

Projecting rearwardly from said arm adjacent its center of height is a link 46. This is pivoted on a vertical axis and is connected at its rear end to a horizontal longitudinally extending rack 41. This rack is slidably mounted on a rail 43 supported by a frame structure on the outside. The rack is engaged by a pinion 49 driven from a reversible'electric motor 50 by means of reduction drive connections 5 therebetween.

The use of individual electric motors for the different mechanisms insures the proper power for the particular drives while minimizing torque, .and provides for great flexibility of control. It also avoids the need of the operator being stationed directly on the machine, which would necessitate an increase in height for visibility.

Instead, it enables him to stand in the tunnel ahead of the frame and o one side of the boom,

- where he can closely watch and control operations. Such operations include the combined vertical lateral swinging of the boom and the intermittent advance of the machine as a whole, the steering of which is of course accomplished by alternate movement of the track units.

In order to enable the operator to have his stand oft the machine, hand switches 52 to control the operation of direction and rotation of the advance motors are mounted in a single portable box B as indicated in Fig. 5. In the present instance, I have shown these switches as being interposed in the circuits of relays 53 for the different motors, such relays being preferably grouped in acabinet 54 at the rear end of the frame structure below theconveyor; the circuit wires 55 between the hand switches and relays being contained in a single flexible cable 55a projecting to the machine from the switch box B. This enables the switch circuits to be lower voltage than is required for the motors, and light wiring and switches in the box may be used so that said box is relatively light and easy to handle.

The supply wires 56 for the motors a and relays are also contained in a flexible cable 51 leading to the cabinet N from the source of power outside of the tunnel as is required by law..

It will be seen that the machine as a, whole is relatively low and narrow, and the boom is substantially horizontal and is plvotally connected to the supporting frame at a point substantially central of the height of the frame. Digging pressures are thus transmitted in a practically straight line from the point of dig back to the heavy supporting frame, making very heavy or hard digging practicable without undue strain on the various parts or an excessive tendency to tilt the supporting structure at one end or the other. I

It will be noted that shaft II is not only the pivot shaft of the boom, but also the driving shaft for the bucket line, thus making a very simple and compact structure, and one in which the level of discharge of the line onto the conveyor is not affected by tiltingof the boom.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An excavating machine comprising a boom,

cross shafts mounted in the boom at its ends, an endless bucket line extending between and supported on said shafts and including sprockets on the shafts, an endless chain engaging the sprockets, buckets mounted on alternate links of the chain and troughs mounted on the intermediate links in position to cooperate with the open end of the buckets when the latter are on a run of the chain'between the sprockets to catch and retain material then overflowing the buckets.

2. A tunneling machine comprising a supporting structure movable along the ground, a cage at the forward end of the structure, vertical pivot connections between the cage and structure, a

' boom and bucket line unit projecting forwardly from and pivoted in the cage for swinging movement in a vertical plane and lateral swinging with the cage as a unit, means to swing the cage and means to swing the boom vertically irrespective of the swung positionof the cage; said last named means including a cable drum on' the structure, a cable wound on the drum and extending thence forwardly to a' connection with the boom and direction changing pulleys on the structure, cage and boom about which the cable passes disposed so that a pull on the cable will lift the boom, and including a pulley on the structure disposed so that its foremost peripheral edge lies adjacent the axial plane of the cage pivot and an adjacent pulley on the cage laterally offset from said last named pulley and about which the cable then passes.

3. A tunneling machine comprising a supporting structure movable along the ground, a cage at the forward end of the structure, vertical pivot connections between the cage and structure, a boom and bucket line unit projecting forwardly from and pivoted in the cage for swinging movement in a vertical plane and lateral swinging with the cage as a unit, means to swing the boom vertically and means to swing the boom and cage laterally as a unit irrespective of the'vertically swung position of the boom; said last named means including a vertical arm mounted on one side of the cage adjacent the plane of the boom pivot and projecting laterally out intermediate its ends from the cage, a rod projecting. forwardly from the arm intermedate its ends to adjacent the forward end of the boom in converging relation thereto, swivel connections between the rod and arm and between the rod and boom, a link projecting rearwardly from the arm, a rack extending lengthwise of the link and to the forward end of which the rear end of the link-is pivoted, means slidably supporting the rack from the structure and a driven pinion engaging the rack.

"4. A tunneling machine comprising a supporting structure movable along the ground, a cage at and supported from the forward end of the structure, a boom and bucket line unit projecting forwardly from and pivoted in the cage at a point intermediate the top and bottom thereof for swinging movement in a vertical plane, the

cage at the top extending forwardly from the boom pivot, and means to swing the boom including tension elements, adjustable as to length, connecting the cage adjacent the'top and forward end thereof and the boom at the sides intermediate its endsand adjacent its lower edge.

5. A tunneling machine comprising a supporting structure movable along the ground, a cage at and supported from the forward end of the structure,'a: boom and a bucket line unit projecting forwardly from and pivoted in the cage at a point intermediate the top and bottom thereof for swinging movement in a vertical plane, the cage at the top extending forwardly from the boom pivot, and means to swing the boom including transverse-axis pulleys on the sides of the cage adjacent its top and forward end, similarly disposed pulleys on the sides of the boom below the first named pulleys clear of the case,

a pull cable between the pulleys on one side and extending thence across to and between the pulleys on the other side, and guide pulleys on the top of the cage for the crossing portion of the cable.

6. A tunneling machine comprising a supporting structure movable along the ground, a cage at and supported from the'forward end of the structure for swinging movement in a horizontal plane, a boom and bucket line unit projecting forwardly from and pivoted on the cage for swinging movement in a vertical plane but movable laterally as a unit with the cage, a push and pull rod extending lengthwise of the boom at one side of the same in rearwardly diverging relation thereto and connected at its forward end on the boom ahead of the cage, a power operated push and pull member mounted for movement in a constant plane on the structure on the corresponding side, and connecting means between the member and the rear end of the rod push and pull means connected to the boom on one side thereof ahead or the cage and operable from the structure to swing the boom laterally in either-direction.

8. A tunneling machine comprising a supporting structure movable along the ground, a case at and supported from theforward end of the structure for swinging movement in B. horizon-- tal plane, a boom and bucket line unit projecting forwardly from and pivoted on the cage for swinging movement in a vertical plane but movable laterally as a unit with the cage a push and pull rod extending lengthwise o! the boom unit pivoted on the lateral portion of the arm therefrom. CHARLES C. ROE.

and projecting rearwardly 

